Kischinskinia scandens gen. et sp. nov. (1 Viewer)

Natalia V. Volkova; Nikita V. Zelenkov, 2018.

КОГТЕЛАЗАЮЩАЯ ВОРОБЬИНАЯ ПТИЦА (PASSERIFORMES, CERTHIOIDEA) ИЗ ВЕРХОВ НИЖНЕГО МИОЦЕНА ВОСТОЧНОЙ СИБИРИ

Paleontological Journal. 52

Abstract:

A Tree-Climbing Passerine Bird (Passeriformes, Certhioidea) from the Uppermost Lower Miocene of Eastern Siberia

Volkova N.V., Zelenkov N.V.

A tree-climbing passerine bird, Kischinskinia scandens gen. et sp. nov., is described from the uppermost lower Miocene of Olkhon Island (Tagai locality; Lake Baikal) based on distal tarsometatarsus and provisionally referred distal tibiotarsus. Both tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus display features indicative of climbing adaptations. Earlier, a related form belonging to the clade Certhioidea was described from the early Miocene of Germany. These two fossil tree-climbing birds, along with some other taxa, indicate close affinities between the early Miocene avifaunas of East Asia and Western Europe. Kischinskinia scandens is the first Asian representative of the clade Certhioidea and further is the oldest representative of songbirds (Oscines) in Asia.

The German species is Certhiops rummeli Manegold, 2008.

Enjoy,

Fred

The paper is now available in English with a different title:

A Scansorial Passerine Bird (Passeriformes, Certhioidea) from the Uppermost Lower Miocene of Eastern Siberia

Paleontological Journal 52, Issue 1, pp 58–65

Fred

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
Order Passeriformes
S u p e r f a m i l y Certhioidea Leach, 1820
Genus Kischinskinia Volkova et Zelenkov, gen. nov.
Et ymo l o g y. In honor of A.A. Kishchinsky, a Soviet ornithologist who dedicated his life to the study of birds from northeastern Asia and Mongolia.
Ty p e s p e c i e s. Kischinskinia scandens sp. nov.
Di a g n o s i s. Trochleae metatarsorum II and IV narrow, approximately equal in width and slightly wider than condyles of trochlea metatarsi III. Incisure between condyles of trochlea metatarsi III moderately deep (approximately one-third as deep as length of trochlea metatarsi III). Trochleae metatarsorum II and IV terminating distally approximately at one level and trochlea metatarsi III protruding slightly more distally. Trochleae metatarsorum II and IV and condyles of trochlea metatarsi III positioned parallel to each other in distal view. Trochlea metatarsi III moderately asymmetrical; its medial condyle projecting somewhat distally relative to lateral condyle and its distal end inclined medially toward trochlea metatarsi II. Medial margin of tarsometatarsus with well-pronounced distal medial expansion at the base of the metatarsal trochleas. Foramen vasculare distale positioned close to metatarsal trochleas (distance from foramen to incisura intertrochlearis lateralis slightly greater than length of trochlea metatarsi IV).

Kischinskinia scandens Volkova et Zelenkov, sp. nov.
E t y m o l o g y. From the Latin scandens (climbing).
H o l o t y p e. PIN, no. 2614/219, distal fragment of a right tarsometatarsus; Lake Baikal, Olkhon Island, Tagay locality; uppermost Lower Miocene (MN5).

Fred